Apparatus for positioning bricks

ABSTRACT

A building method is disclosed in which bricks are roughly positioned on a layer of mortar and are then, a number at a time, aligned and pressed into the mortar by a horizontally elongated member which is vibrated. One machine disclosed includes a head structure mounted on a rig and displaceable vertically, fore and aft and laterally. The head includes a clamping structure having brick-gripping fingers on each side of said member and pneumatic actuators for operating the fingers. The clamping structure is capable of swinging in an arc about a horizontal axis. The rig includes a system for automatically returning said rig to an upright position. Another disclosed machine has a plate which has a vertical surface against which the bricks are laid before being pressed into the mortar.

[ Jan. 1,1974

[ APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING BRICKS Andries Johannes Stoltz, Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Monres (Proprietary) Limited,

Johannesburg, South Africa [22] Filed: Sept. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 178,705

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 17, 1970 South Africa.. 6354 7 Aug. 11, 1971 South Africa .5359

[52] US. Cl 52/749, 52/122, 52/747 [51] Int. Cl. E04g 21/22 [58] Field of Search 52/747, 748, 749,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,382,640 5/1968 Thomas et al. 52/749 2,818,725 1/1958 Joseph 52/749 3,350,833 11/1967 Larger 52/749 1,606,001 11/1926 Thompson 52/749 1,686,279 10/1928 Kaye 52/749 1,818,741 8/1931 Palaboni 52/749 3,177,621 4/1965 Demarest 52/749 2,641,846 6/1953 Zeno 52/749 1,545,888 7/1925 Evans 52/749 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,434,403 1/1969 Germany 52/749 433,348 1/1912 France 52/749 Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun Attorney-Karl W. Flocks [5 7 ABSTRACT A building method is disclosed in which bricks are roughly positioned on a layer of mortar and are then, a number at a time, aligned and pressed into the mortar by a horizontally elongated member 'which is vibrated. One machine disclosed includes a head structure mounted on a rig and displaceable vertically, fore and aft and laterally. The head includes a clamping structure having brick-gripping fingers on each side of said member and pneumatic actuators for operating the fingers. The clamping structure is capable of swinging in an arc about a horizontal axis. The rig includes a system for automatically returning said rig to an upright position. Another disclosed machine has a plate which has a vertical surface against which the bricks are laid before being pressed into the mortar.

11 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJA" anezom SHEU 1 F Y PATENTED JAN 1 74 SHEET 5 0F 7 ,OM' PAIENTEU H974 3.782

saw 5 or 7 PATENTEU 3, 782.0d7

' sum 7 or 7 W/ W W APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING BRICKS This invention relates to a building method and to apparatus for carrying out the method.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of building with building elements which includes laying a plurality of the elements in rough alignment on a layer of mortar and of then displacing all the elements simultaneously so as to being one face of each element into alignment with the corresponding face of each ther element.

The elements can be displaced laterally to bring one vertical face of each element into alignment with the corresponding vertical face of each other element, and pressed downwardly into the layer of mortar to bring the upper face of each element into alignment with the upper face of each other element. Alternatively, the elements can be plaed against a vertical alignment surface in rough alignment with one another along their upper surfaces, and thereafter pressed downwardly into the mortar to align the top surface of each element with the corresponding surface of each other element.

In both forms of the method the element can be vibrated while being pressed downwardly into the layer of mortar.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building machine which comprises a horizontal, elongated, aligning member mounted for movement downwardly into contact with the top surfaces of a plurality of building elements and upwardly away from said elements after they have been pressed into a layer of mortar.

The machine can include means for vibrating the horizontally elongated member, and said member can be mounted about a horizontal axis for swinging movement in an arcuate path. Additionally, said member and mounting means therefor can be displaceable horizontally, and said member and the mounting means therefor can be displaceable vertically stepwise so as to enable said member to be raised and lowered by the thickness of a whole number of courses of building elements.

In one constructional form, the machine comprises an alignment member having a vertical face against which the building elements can be laid, said alignment member being displaceable horizontally in a direction parallel to the line along which the wall is to be built and vertically in a stepwise manner, each step being equal to the thickness of one course of building elements.

The horizontally elongated member preferably forms part of an aligning head structure which further comprises a plurality of fingers, the fingers being arranged in two rows which extend parallel to one another and which rows are spaced apart, and the fingers further being arranged to depend downwardly on each side of the building elements when the head is in a position above them, there being means for displacing the two rows of fingers towards one another to grip the building elements and bring each side surface of each building element into alignment with the corresponding side surfaces of the other building elements.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a building machine;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the aligning head of the machine, FIG. 2 being to a larger scale than FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a guide arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a front view of part of a clamping structure;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation, to a larger scale, of a detail of the clamping structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a handheld control box of the machine;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a hoist control system;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a traverse control system of the machine;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a fore and aft shift control system of the aligning head;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a side shift control system for the head;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a clamp control system;

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of an automatic levelling system of the machine;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation of a further form of building machine; and

FIG. 14 is an end elevation of the machine of FIG. 13.

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, the building machine illustrated comprises a vertically elongated rig 10 which includes platforms such as 12 and 14 for supporting drive apparatus of the machine. The rig also includes two vertical columns 16 on which an aligning head structure 18 is vertically displaceable.

The drive apparatus of the machine is only diagrammatically illustrated and comprises a petrol engine 20 which drives a compressor 22 and a generator 24. The compressor 22 maintains the desired pressure in a compressed air reservoir (not shown) and the generator feeds current via a regulator 26 to a battery 28. Thus the battery 28 is maintained in a fully charged condition, and current from this is employed to operate the control circuits of the machine, the bulk of which are contained in a housing 30 on the platform 12. The air is fed to the reservoir via a radiator 32 which cools the air and allows moisture to condense out.

The aligning head structure 18 is raised and lowered by a hoist structure which includes a winch drum 34 driven by an electric drive motor 36 which is also shown in FIG. 7. A cable 38 from the winch drum 34 extends upwardly past a guide pulley 40, over a pulley 42 at the upper end of the rig 10, under a pulley 44 mounted on the aligning head 18, and upwardly again to an anchorage point 46 at the top of the rig.

A pendulum 48 is pivotally mounted on a cross beam 50 of the rig and is free to swing in the fore and aft direction of the machine, that is, from left to right in FIG. 1. The pendulum s swing is under the control of a pneumatic or oil damper 52 and its lower end co-operates with two sets of electrical contacts. The pendulum 48 forms part of an automatic levelling system and the circuit including these contacts will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12.

The machine runs on a single rear wheel 54 and pair of front rollers 56. The rollers 56 run on a pipe 58 which is supported by blocks 60. Before use of the machine the pipe 58 is accurately levelled by adjusting the blocks 60 and aligned so as to run parallel to, and at a predetermined distance from, the location of the wall which is to be built. A air motor 62 drives one of the rollers 56.

To enable the machine to be moved from place to place, a pair of retractable front wheels 64 are provided. The illustrated wheel 64 is shown in its retracted position to which it is spring urged. By cranking the wheels 64 downwardly into contact with the ground, the rollers 56 can be lifted clear of the pipe 58. The machine is then supported on a tricycle arrangement of wheels and can readily be moved from place to place.

The accurate levelling of the pipe 58 ensures that the columns 16, when the machine is viewed from the front, are vertical. However, the wheel 54, in use of the machine, generally runs on uneven ground so that the upper ends of the columns 16 can be tilted to the left or right as viewed in FIG. 1. To enable movements to be compensated for, the wheel 54 is mounted on an arm 66 which is pivotally mounted at 68. A batterydriven electric motor 70 drives a screw 72 via a gearbox 74 and the screw 72 passed through a nut 76 located on an extension 78 of the arm 66. Thus when the motor 70 is energised, the arm 66 is rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise about its pivotal mounting 68, depending upon the direction in which the motor 70 is driven, so that the pivotal mounting 68 is, in effect, raised or lowered so as to bring the columns 16 back to the vertical position. The motor 70 is controlled by the automatic levelling system of the machine and this will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12.

The aligning head structure 18 can be considered to be in three parts which, in FIG. 1, have been referenced 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3. The part 18.1 includes a block 80 and is displaceable vertically on the columns 16. The part 18.2 is displaceable vertically with the part 18.1 and is also displaceable in the fore and aft direction (as indicated by arrow 82). The part 18.3 is displaceable in three directions at right angles to one another, namely, vertically with the parts 18.1 and 18.2, in the fore and aft direction with the part 18.2, and in the lateral direction, this latter movement being with respect to the part 18.2.

The pulley 44 is mounted on the block 80 which surrounds the columns l6 and is guided by rollers (not shown) which it carries and which run on the columns 16. The block 80 carries the cylinders of two pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies 84, the pistons themselves being connected to the part 18.2 of the aligning head structure 18.

The part 18.2 includes two laterally spaced yoke structures 86 (see also FIG. 2) to which the pistons of the assemblies 84 are secured. Two transversely extending beams 88 (see also FIG. 3) connect the yoke structures 86, the upper beam having a rack 90 releasably secured thereto with the teeth of the rack facing downwardly. An electric motor (not shown in FIG. 1 but illustrated in FIG. and designated M1) is contained within a housing 92, the housing 92 being a component of the part 18.3. The motor Ml drives a pinion (not shown) which is in mesh with the rack 90. The motor is of the reversible type. Movement of the part 18.3 on the part 18.2 is guided by means of four rollers 94. Two of these rollers run on the top surface of the lower beam 88, and the other two run on the undersurface of the upper beam 88. This arrangement is best illustrated in FIG. 3.

The part 18.3 includes a rectangular frame structure 96 which is composed of two uprights 98 and an upper cross member 100. The lower cross member of the frame is constituted by a rod 102 which is rotatably secured to the lower ends of the uprights 98. The rollers 94 are themselves carried by journal members 104 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) which are rearward extensions of the uprights 98.

The part 18.3 further includes a clamping structure 106 having two laterally spaced mounting arms 108 which are fixed to the rod 102 at its ends. A link 110 (FIG. 1) is fixed to the rod near its centre and the body of a pneumatic cylinder 112 is pivotally connected to the free end of the link. The piston rod 114 of this cylinder is pivotally connected to the upper cross member 100.

An hydraulic cylinder 116 is connected in parallel with the pneumatic cylinder 112 between the member 100 and a link (not shown) fast with the rod 102. Hydraulic fluid flows in an external circuit between the upper and lower chambers of the cylinder 116 when the piston moves, and two needle valves (not illustrated) are provided for controlling flow between the chambers. The first needle valve is set to permit a fairly fast rate of flow and the second needle valve is set to restrict flow and only permit a relatively slow flow. A change-over valve (not illustrated in FIG. 1 but designated H in FIG. 11) is provided between the cylinder 116 and the needle valves and serves to switch flow of fluid from one needle valve to the other.

The clamping structure 106 comprises a supporting means including a main plate 118 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) at the ends of which are upstanding supports 120. An air manifold 122 has its ends welded to the supports 120. The manifold 122 is connected to the compressed air reservoir.

A vibrator plate 124 which constitutes a horizontal, elongated, aligning member, is mounted beneath the main plate 118 on resilient, e.g. rubber, supports 126. A vibrator 128 is mounted on the plate 124 (the main plate 118 having a U-shaped cut-out to receive the vibrator) and is continuously driven by an air motor 130, there being a belt 132 connecting the motor and the vibrator 128.

Clamping fingers 134, 136 are provided along the length of the plate 118, the fingers being so distributed that there are three for each of the bricks B to be laid. The illustrated machine is capable of aligning four bricks at a time and thus includes four pairs of clamping fingers 134 on one side of the plate 118 and four single clamping fingers 136 on the other side of the plate 118. Each single clamping finger 136 is between.

the clamping fingers 134 of the associated pair. The free ends of the fingers 134,136 are covered with non slip material such as rubber, and the fingers 136 are slightly longer than the fingers 134 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The non-slip material can be replaced by studs.

Each finger 134,136 is controlled by a pneumatic actuator 138, the interior of which is divided into two chambers by a diaphragm (not shown). There is an air inlet to one side of the diaphragm which is spring urged towards its neutral position. A rod 140 (see particularly FIG. 5) is connected to the diaphragm. Thus as air is supplied to and exhausted from the chamber, the diaphragm flexes and moves the rod in the direction of the double-headed arrow 142 in FIG. 5. The rod 140 is pivotally connected to one end of a centrally pivoted lever 144. The other end of the lever 144 is pivotally connected to a rod 146 on which the clamping finger 134,136 is mounted. The rod 144 is guided by rollers 148 which are themselves mounted between the flanges of a channel 150. The rod 146 lies between these flanges and is also guided by an arrangement including a transverse pin 152 which passes through slots 154 in the flanges and carries on each end thereof a flanged wheel 156 which runs on the top and bottom edges of the slot 154. The flanges are larger than the vertical dimensions of the slots 154. The lower end of the lever 144 is forked and the pin 152 lies between the tines of the fork. It will be understood that the lever 144 is pivotally mounted on the channel 150.

The channel 150 is itself pivotally mounted on a bracket 158 depending from the plate 118. A spring 160 urges the bottom edge of the channel 150 against the top surface of the plate 118 but permits it to pivot upwardly to avoid damage to the associated finger 134,136. It will be noted that the actuator 138 is mounted on an extension of the channel 150.

Referring now to F IG. 6, this illustrates the hand-held control box 162 of the machine (see also FIG. 1). The control box carries on its top surface four pushbutton switches P1 to P4. The pushbutton switches P1 and P2 control vertical movement of the aligning head structure 18, and switches P3 and P4 control movement of the parts 18.2 and 18.3 in the direction of arrow 82.

Pushbutton switch P5 is the stopbutton of the machine and this is on sloping front surface of the control box. Beneath the control box are two further pushbutton switches P6 and P7 which are override buttons for use in shifting the parts 18.2 and 18.3 of the head laterally. The use of these two pushbutton switches will be described in more detail hereinafter.

A control stick 164 projects upwardly from the control box, the stick 164 being mounted for movement to the right and to the left as indicated by arrows 166 in FIG. 6. One or other of two switch contacts (hereinafter designated SCI and SC2) are provided within the control box and are actuated when the control stick is moved to the right or to the left. At the top of the control stick is a two-stage pushbutton switch. The stages of this have been referenced P8 and P9 and must be depressed in sequence. For the sake of simplicity P1 and P9 will merely be referred to as buttons or pushbuttons".

Operation of the machine is controlled by the buttons P1 to P9 and also by a number of micro switches which, in certain cases, detect when the part controlled has reached an end position and, in other cases, detect when the part controlled has reached a predetermined intermediate position. The location and function of these micro switches will be understood from the description given with reference to the circuit diagrams.

Turning now to FIG. 7, this illustrates the control system for the winch electric motor 36. The buttons P1 and P2 are also illustrated in this Figure. The button P1 is in series with the winding of a relay R1 which has contacts C1 and C2. The button P2 is in series with the winding of a relay R2 which has contacts C3 and C4. In series with the contacts Cl and C4 is a course selection switch S1 and two micro switches M31 and MS2. The course selection switch S1 places the contacts C1 and C4 in series with either the switch M81 or the switch MS2. These micro switches are carried by the block 80. On each of the columns 16 there is a series of stops 168 (see FIG. 1). These stops are spaced apart in conformity with the desired vertical dimension of the courses and co-operate with the micro switches. The

stops of one set are spaced apart in conformity with the imperial course thickness employed and the stops of the other set are spaced apart in conformity with metric course spacing. The change-over switch S1 enables the appropriate micro switch M51 or MS2 to be brought into circuit.

The contacts C2 and C3 are in the field winding circuit of the motor 36.

The pushbuttons P1 and P2 are also respectively in series with the windings of relays R3 and R4, the contacts of which are in the circuit of the armature of the motor 36.

Also illustrated is a micro switch MS3. The micro switch MS3 is only closed when the aligning head part 18.3 is in what can be termed the fully retracted position. ln other words, the position in which the pneumatic cylinder 112 has pulled the clamping structure 106 upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 1. As soon as the pneumatic cylinder commences to urge the clamping structure 106 downwardly about the pivot rod 102, the switch MS3 opens to isolate the hoist control circuit.

The manner in which this circuit operates will be described in detail when the mode of operation of the machine id discussed. Similarly, the functioning of all the other circuits to be described will be delt with in more detail later in the present specification.

FIG. 8 illustrates the system which controls traverse of the entire machine illustrated in FIG. 1. The circuit illustrated includes the micro switch MS3, the buttons P8 and P9, and the switch contacts SCI and SC2.

The contacts SCI and SC2 are connected to a mode switch S2 which is located on the housing 30. The mode switch is of the four-pole change-over type and the need for this switch will be understood if it is re membered that the operator can actuate the machine from in front of it or from behind. If the operator is standing in front of the machine and moves the stick 164 to the right, then the machine will move in that direction. However, if he moves to the back of the machine and moves the stick to his right, then, in the absence of the mode control switch S2, the machine will move, so far as the operator is concerned, to the left. Two poles of the switch S2 are connected to the two windings W1 and W2 of a solenoid-operated pneumatic valve PVl. These valves control flow of compressed air to the air motor 62 which drives one of the rollers 56 (FIG. 1).

Turning now to FIG. 9, this illustrates the circuit which controls supply of air to the piston and cylinder assemblies 84 which shift the parts 18.2 and 18.3 of the aligning head structure 18 in the fore and aft direction. The circuit includes the micro switch MS3, the push buttons P3 and P4 of the control box, and a solenoidoperated pneumatic valve PV2 having windings W3 and W4.

FIG. 10 illustrates the control circuit for the motor M1 which, as described above, drives the pinion which runs on the rack 90. The circuit illustrated includes the pushbuttons P6, P7 and P8 of the control box as well as the switch contacts SCI and SC2, the mode switch S2 and relays R5 and R6. The contacts of these relays are in the circuits of the windings of the motor M1. Thus, when the relay R5 is energised, the motor is driven in one direction, and when the relay R6 is energised, the motor is driven in the other direction. A micro switch M84 is provided for isolating the circuit.

In FIG. 11 there is illustrated the circuit of the clamp control system. This not only controls the swinging motion of the part 18.3 about the rod 102, but also controls the supply of air to the manifold 122 to operate the pneumatic actuators 138. Circuit components which have been described previously have the same reference letters and numerals applied thereto.

The pushbutton P is in series with the winding of a relay R7 which has contacts C5 and C6. The contacts C5 are in series with two parallel connected micro switches MSS and MS6. Pushbutton P9 is also in series with the winding of the relay R7. The micro switch MSS is arranged so as to open when the clamping structure 106 reaches its horizontal position. The micro switch MS6 closes if the entire head 18 tilts back on the columns 16.

In the illustrated position of the contacts C6, assuming that various interlocks to be described are in the correct positions, power is supplied to the contacts C7 ofa relay R8 and, by way of the contacts C7, to a solenoid-operated penumatic valve PV3 which controls flow of air to the cylinder 112. By way of a diode D1 and a micro switch MS7, power is supplied to the solenoid-operated hydraulic change-over valve H mentioned above and which has two windings HF and HS.

When contacts C6 are in their condition, power is supplied by way of a diode D2 to the winding of the relay R8, to the micro switch MS7 via a diode D3, to the winding of a solenoid-operated pneumatic valve PV4 which also controls flow of air to the cylinder 112, and to a micro switch MS8 which has in series therewith the winding of a solenoid-operated pneumatic valve PVS which controls flow of air to the manifold 122.

The micro switches M54 (FIG. MS7 and M58 (FIG. 11) are fixed in position and actuated by a head 170 on a rod 172 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which moves with the part 18.3. The switch M87 is triggered when the structure 106 is approximately 10 above horizontal and the switches M54 and M58 when it is approximately 5 above horizontal. The exact angles depend on the speed of movement of the structure 106, and for the sake of simplicity the present specification will merely refer to 5 and 10.

As will be more fully explained hereinafter, it is essential that the clamping sequence is not commenced when the machine is wrongly positioned or is otherwise in a condition which is unsuitable for clamping purposes. To achieve this end, micro switches MS9 and MS10, a switch S3, the contacts of the button P8 and relay contacts C9.1 and C12.l are connected between the contacts C6 and the power supply. A holding circuit for the relay R8 is connected through the micro switch M83. The contacts C9.1 and C12.l will be delt with hereinafter.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the circuit diagram of this Figure is that of the automatic levelling system of the machine. In addition to the components previously discussed, the circuit includes relays R9 and R12 which control contacts C9 and C12. The windings of the relays R9 and R10 are in parallel with one another and in series with the switch contacts SCI and SC2, the micro switch M53, the switch S3, and the contacts CP with which the pendulum cooperates. A time delay device T1 is connected across the windings of the relays R9 and R10. The relays R11 and R12 are similarly connected and are associated with a time delay device T2.

The contacts C9 and C12 control flow of current to the field winding of the motor 70, and the contacts C10 and C11 control the armature engergisation. Thus the direction in which the motor is driven depends upon which of the contacts CP is contacted by the pendulum 48. The contacts C9.1 and C12.1 (FIG. 11) are contacts of the relays R9 and R12.

The operation of the machine described will now be explained in detail.

The pipe 58 is first of all levelled and arranged in a position in which it is accurately parallel to the line along which the wall is to be built. At this time the machine is supported by the wheels 54 and 64. Once the pipe is in the desired position, the machine is moved so that the rollers 56 are over it and then the wheels 64 are cranked upwardly to lower the rollers 56 into contact with the pipe. During this time the switch S3 (FIG. 12) is open to isolate the automatic levelling system.

Assuming that the engine is running and that as a consequence the air reservoir is pressurized and the main power switch is on, the only other steps necessary before the machine is ready for use are to set the course selection switch S1 so as to place one or other of the micro switches M51 and MS2 into the circuit and thereby determine normal or metric course spacing as required, close the switch S3 to bring the levelling system into use and to actuate the mode switch S2 depending on whether the operator is to stand at the front or rear of the machine. Preferably, the operator stands at the front of the machine but the layout of the building site may make this impossible. The labourers working in conjunction with the operator of the machine then lay along the desired building line a layer of mortar on which the bricks are placed. Little care need be taken in this respect, the only requirement being that they be spaced apart at roughly the right distance. Their alignment with one another along the building line and the correct positioning of their top surface in a single horizontal plane in not important provided, of course, that they are not positioned in so inaccurate a manner as to be beyond the range of movement that the machine can execute.

the machine is then displaced along the pipe 58 by moving the control stick 164 to the left or the right (see FIG. 6). Thus, one or other of the windings of the pneumatic valve PVl (FIG. 8) is energized to supply compressed air in the desired direction to the air motor 62 which drives the roller 56. It will be noted that traverse of the entire machine is only possible while the micro switch MS3 is closed, and this means in practice that traverse can only be carried out when the clamping structure 106 is in the fully raised position illustrated in FIG. 1. It will also be noted that as soon as the second stage pushbutton P9 is actuated to commence the clamping and aligning sequence, the circuit of FIG. 8 is isolated so that traverse of the machine cannot take place once the clamping sequence has begun.

The parts 18.2 and 18.3 of the head structure 18 are then displaced to the fully retracted or fully extended position by means of the assemblies 84. In the fully extended position the machine will build the outer part of a cavity wall, and in the fully retracted position it will build the inner part. The desired position is obtained by pressing one of the buttons P3 and P4 to energise the respective pneumatic valve winding W3 or W4 (FIG. 9) and supply air to the assemblies 84. It will be noted that the micro switch MS3 is in the circuit of FIG. 9 and that, as a consequence, the parts 18.2 and 18.3 of the head can only be displaced in the fore and aft direction while the clamping structure 106 is in the fully raised position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Assuming that the structure 18 is at some intermediate position on the column 16, the next stage in the building procedure is to press the down button P2 (FIG. 7). The windings of the relays R2 and R4 are thus energised. A holding circuit for the windings of these relays is completed through one of the micro switches M81 and M82, the contacts C4 and the contacts C1 of the relay R1. The contacts C3 connect the field winding of the motor 36 to the power supply so that current is supplied in the desired direction and the contacts of the relay R4 connect the power supply to the armature. The motor 36 thus drives the winch so as to lower the aligning head structure 18. Each time that the micro switch MSl encounters one of the stops 168 it opens but provided that the pushbutton P2 is held closed, no change in the condition of the circuit occurs. Once the micro switch MSl has passed the last but one stop on the column 16, the pushbutton P2 is released. When the micro switch MSl contacts the last stop 168 it opens thereby breaking the holding circuit of the relays R2 and R4. The motor 36 is thus de-energised and the aligning head structure 18 stops.

It will be understood that to raise or lower the aligning head structure 18 by one course, it is merely necessary to depress the button P1 or button P2 momentarily. The holding circuit through the micro switch MS1 then ensures that the motor 36 remains energised until the head has been raised or lowered by one course whereupon the micro switch MSl opens to de-energise the motor. As the micro switch M53 is in this circuit, vertical movement of the head structure 18 can only take place while the clamping structure 106 is fully raised.

The clamping fingers 134,136 must be positioned as illustrated in FIG. 2. In other words, the two fingers 134 on one side of the brick B must be positioned towards the ends of the brick, and the single finger 136 on the other side of the brick must be positioned towards the centre of the brick. Fine adjustment of the position of the fingers along the brick is obtained by means of the motor Ml (FIG. 10). When the pushbutton P8 is depressed and the control stick 164 is moved to the left or to the right to close one or other of the contacts SC 1 and 5C2, power is supplied through the mode switch S2 to one or other of the relays R5 and R6. Closure of the appropriate relay contacts energises the motor M1 to drive the pinion which meshes with the rack 99, thereby to displace the parts 18.2 and 18.3. Side-shift can only be obtained in this manner while the switch M84 is closed. When the structure 106 reaches a position which is 5 above horizontal, then switch M84 is opened thereby isolating the circuit of FIG. to prevent side-shift while the fingers are moving. The override buttons P6 and P7 enable side-shift to be obtained while the entire machine is traversing. For traverse the button P8 must be in the open condition in this circuit.

For the sake of simplicity it will be assumed that all the operations described above have been completed before the pushbutton P9 is depressed to commence the clamping sequence. In fact, because of the interlocks provided amny of these operations must have been completed before the clamping sequence can commence.

Turning now to FIG. 11, depression of the button P9 completes a circuit through the winding of relay R7 (assuming that the stop pushbutton P5 is not itself depressed) and this institutes the clamping sequence. Upon energisation of the relay R7 a holding circuit is completed through the micro switch M55. Simultaneously, provided the various interlocking switches shown between the power supply and the contacts C6 are in the correct position (as will be explained), power is supplied to energise the relay R8. There is a holding circuit for this relay through the micro switch M83 but this is only operative once the structure 106 has commenced to move downwardly for the relevant contacts of this micro switch are open when the structure 106 is in the fully up position. Power is also supplied to the micro switch MS8 (which is normally open) and via the micro switch M87 and the diode D3 to the winding HF of the solenoid-operated hydraulic change-over valve H. The winding of the pneumatic valve PV4 is also energised. As a consequence, air is supplied to the pneumatic cylinder 112 so that the clamping structure 106 begins to move downwardly about the rod 102. Hydraulic fluid flows from the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder 116 to the upper end by way of the valve H and that needle valve which is most fully opened. Thus the clamping structure 106 moves down at a fairly rapid rate.

When the clamping structure reaches a position in which the main plate 118 is at an angle of 10 with respect to the horizontal, the micro switch M87 is actuated to its other condition. Thus the winding HF is deenergised and the winding HS is energised so that hydraulic fluid commences to flow through the needle valve which restricts flow. As a consequence, the rate at which the clamping-structure moves downwardly is slowed. The winding of the valve PV4 remains energised.

When the main plate is at an angle of 5 to the horizontal, the micro switch MS8 is actuated so that the winding of the valve PV5 is energised. Supply of compressed air to the manifold 122 then commences so that the pneumatic actuators 138 begin to move the fingers 134,136 inwardly into gripping engagement with the bricks. Over approximately the last 5 of the movement of the clamping structure 106, the vibrator plate 124 is in engagement with the top surfaces of the bricks. Thus, while the fingers 134,136 are aligning the bricks, the vibrator plate is exerting a downward force on them and simultaneously vibrating them so that they move downwardly into the layer of mortar. This continues until the plate 124 is horizontal.

As the two fingers on one side of each brick are somewhat shorter than the single finger on the other side of the brick, the fingers exert a turning moment on the brick which moment holds it against the vibrator plate 124.

As the plate 118 reaches its horizontal position, the micro switch MSS opens so that the holding circuit to the relay R7 is broken (unless the entire structure 18 has tilted back on the columns 16 and closed the micro switch MS6). When the contact C6 moves to the illustrated position, the micro switch M88 is de-energised as is the pneumatic valve PV4. The relay R8, however, remains energised by way of its holding circuit and thus the winding HS remains energised by way of the contacts C7, the diode D1 and micro switch MS7. At this stage, the pneumatic valve PV3 is energised.

As a result of these changes, the supply of air to the pneumatic actuators 138 is cut off so that the fingers move outwardly and simultaneously the supply of air to the pneumatic cylinder 112 is reversed so that the clamping structure begins to swing upwardly about the rod 102. When the head has moved upwardly through the micro switch M58 opens but this has no influence on the operation of the machine for the circuit in which it is connected has already been de-energised. When the structure 106 has moved upwardly through l0the micro switch-MS7 is triggered to its other position so that the winding HS is de-energised and the winding HS energised. Flow of fluid is then diverted to the more fully open of the two needle valves so that the resistance to upward movement of the clamping structure 106 is reduced and it begins to move more quickly. When the clamping structure 106 reaches its fully raised position, the switch MS3 opens .50 that the relay R8 is de-energised. As a consequence, the contacts C7 open and the valve PV3 is de-energised to stop movement of the head.

The micro switches M89 and MS are sensitive to movement of the head 18 in the fore and aft direction. If the head is in an intermediate position, then the switches are in such a condition that the circuit to the contacts C6 is broken. Thus the head must be fully in or fully out before the clamping sequence can commence. The switch S3 is connected into this circuit so that the clamping sequence cannot commence unless the automatic levelling system is operative, as will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 12. As regards the contacts C9.1 and Cl2.1, these are only in the conditions illustrated if the automatic levelling arrangement is inoperative. lf the machine is being levelled when the button P9 is pushed, then the clamping sequence cannot commence. The button P8 is included in this circuit so that, even if the clamping sequence has commenced, it can be stopped while side-shift of the clamping structure takes place.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the pendulum 48 swings to close one of the contacts CP when the rear wheels 54 moves upwardly over a hump or downwardly into a depression. Thus the circuit through either the relays R9 and R10 or the relays R11 and R12 is completed. The appropriate pairs of contacts C9 and C10 or C11 and C12 are closed so that the levelling motor 70 is energised to rotate the arm 66 and raise or lower the rear of the machine for levelling purposes.

It will be noted that the automatic levelling device can only be operated while the switch S3 is closed and while the clamping structure 106 is in the fully raised position to close the micro switch MS3. Additionally, levelling cannot take place while the stick 164 is in an out-of-centre position simultaneously the button P8 is depressed. This means that levelling can take place while the parts 18.2 and 18.3 of the head are moving sideways but cannot take place while the entire machine is traversing.

It will be understood that the pendulum 48 moves away from the contacts CP shortly before the machine reaches the desired vertical position. The time delay devices T1 and T2 ensure that the relays remain energised for a short period after contact between the pendulum 48 and the contacts CP is broken. This ensures that the machine moves through the degree or so that is necessary to bring the pendulum 48 back to the vertical position.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 reference numeral 210 refers generally to a machine which is shown building a wall 212 on a foundation 214 by means of building elements in the form of bricks B and layers of mortar L.

The machine comprises a pair of posts 216 which are spaced laterally and are vertical. Each post carries a vertically slidable shoe 218 to which shoes are attached beams 220 and 222 which are parallel to each other. The shoes 218 can be positioned at various elevations on the posts 216 so as to correspond to the various elevations of the courses of the bricks B in the wall 212.

The beam 220 supports a carrier 224 which is displaceable along the beam 220 in the direction of arrow 226. The carrier 224 has mounted on it an aligning member which is horizontal, elongated and generally indicated by reference numeral 228. The member 228 includes, and is pivotally mounted by means of, an arm 230. The arm 230 passed through a trunnion 231 which is itself rotatable about the axis of a pin 232. The aligning member 228 has a handle 229 by means of which it can be pivoted about the axis of the pin 232 in the direction of arrow 234. A counterweight 236 is adjustable in the direction of arrow 238 on the rearward extension 239 of the arm 230. the counterweight 236 is intended to balance the member about the axis of the pin 232.

The aligning member 228 also icludes a platen 240 having an alignment face 242 which is horizontal in the extreme down position of the aligning member 228. The face 242 is intended to be brought into contact with the upper surfaces of the bricks B and to bring such upper surfaces simultaneously into horizontal alignment with each other. By exerting pressure on such upper surfaces by means of the platen 240, the building elements are pressed down into the layer of mortar which has previously been laid. The platen 240 is resiliently mounted on the arm 230 and is provided with vibrators 241' whereby vibration may be imparted to the platen 240 and hence to the upper surfaces of the bricks B when the platen 240 is brought into contact with these surfaces. The forward and rearward adjustment of the platen 240 is obtained by means of a screw clamp 256 acting on the pin 232.

In order to assist the laying of the bricks in proper alignment, an alignment member 250 is provided having an alignment face 251 which is arranged to define one of the vertical faces of the wall which is to be built. The alignment member 250 is carried by means of an arm 252 attached to a carrier 254 which is displaceable along the beam 222. The position of the face 251 in relation to the beam 222 and the posts 216 is adjustable by suitably clamping a rearward extension 253 of the arm 252 by means of a clamp 255 co-operating with the carrier 254.

The posts 216 are provided with markers or notches 217 corresponding to the various elevations of the different courses of building elements. The shoes 218 can be positioned in accordance with such markers or notches 217.

Once the machine of FIGS. 13 and 14 has been set up by a skilled person, it can thereafter be used by unskilled persons in the laying of building elements. The building elements are merely laid upon a previously laid layer of mortar against the vertical alignment face 251 of the member 250. This member 250 is positioned in a vertical plane. Once the bricks have been laid so that their vertical faces are in alignment with the face 251, then their upper surfaces are brought into horizontal alignment by applying the platen 240 to their upper surfaces and by pressing downwardly on it. The downward displacement of the platen 240 is halted when the alignment face 242 is horizontal. Pressure applied to the platen 240 presses the bricks down into the layer of mortar and the vibrators 241 facilitate this operation.

The carriers 224 and 254 are independently displaceable along their respective beams 220 and 222. Thus, while one operator is laying bricks with the aid of the member 250, another operator can be operating the aligning member 228. Still further operators can be employed in mixing and laying mortar on the courses which have been laid, while other operators can be employed in handling bricks to the operator for laying against the face 251.

In a modified construction, the posts 216 and beams 220 and 222 can form part of a framework which can be moved as a unit, or the beams can be mounted on a framework mounted in position for a wall to be built.

This framework can be in the form of a trolley displaceable along a track laid alongside the position where the wall is to be built. Such a trolley can have the beams 220 and 222 at different elevations. However, if desired, the carriers 224 and 254 may be fast with the trolley.

In a modified constructional form of the machine of FIGS. 1 to 12, the hydraulic cylinder 116, its associated valve H and the needle valves can be replaced by a shock absorber. The shock absorber is arranged so that there is lost motion until the angle of is reached whereupon the absorber becomes effective to slow downward motion of the structure 106. The absorber is completely ineffective while the structure 106 is moving upwardly.

It is also possible to replace each contact CP (FIG. 12) by another form of position sensing device such as a proximity senser which operates when the metal pendulum approaches it.

What we claim is:

l. A machine for building walls and having an aligning head structure for accurately positioning a plurality of building elements which have previously been laid in rough alignment on a layer of mortar, the aligning head structure comprising a supporting means, an elongated aligning member, means resiliently attaching said elongated aligning member to said supporting means, means mounting said head structrure for movement to place said elongated aligning member into contact with the top surfaces of the plurality of building elements, a plurality of fingers moveably connected to said supporting means, the fingers being arranged in two rows which extend parallel to one another and which rows are spaced apart, and the fingers further being arranged to depend downwardly on each side of the building elements when the head is in a position above them, there being means for displacing the two rows of fingers towards one another to grip the building elements and bring each side surface of each building element into alignment with the corresponding side surfaces of the other building elements and means for vibrating said elongated aligning member.

2. A machine according to claim 1., wherein the fingers are arranged in sets, there being a set of fingers for each building element, at least one finger of each set being longer than at least one other finger whereby a turning moment is exerted upon a gripped building element to hold it in contact with said aligning member.

3. A machine according to claim 1, and including fluid-operated actuators for displacing the fingers into gripping engagement with building elements.

4. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said aligning head structure is mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis, and said mounting means includes fluid-operated means are for swinging said aligning head structure about said axis.

5. A machine according to claim 1, and further comprising horizontal guide means which are elongated in the direction parallel to the line along which it is intended to build a wall, and means for displacing the aligning head structure along said guide means.

6. A machine according to claim 1, and said mounting means further comprising means for displacing said aligning head structure horizontally in a fore and aft direction at right angles to the line along which the machine builds a wall.

7. A machine according to claim 1, and further comprising a rig having columns and means for displacing the aligning head up and down said columns.

8. A machine according to claim 7., and further including rollers for running on a pipe which extends horizontally and parallel to the direction in which the machine is capable of building a wall, and a further wheel which is arranged in tricycle fashion with respect to the rollers, the said wheel being mounted on an arm which is pivotally connected to the rig, there being means for sensing the position of the rig and swinging said arm about said pivotal connection if said columns are not vertical.

9. A machine according to claim 8, wherein the sensing means includes a pendulum, electrical sensing means actuated by the pendulum, and an electric motor which is energised to displace said arm about said pivotal mounting when said pendulum actuates said sensing means.

10. A machine according to claim 1, wherein interlocking means are provided for preventing displacement of the fingers unless said aligning head is properly positioned for aligning said building elements.

11. A machine according to claim 1, wherein interlocking means are provided for preventing movement of said head structrue after said finger commence their movement towards one another for gripping purposes. 

1. A machine for building walls and having an aligning head structure for accurately positioning a plurality of building elements which have previously been laid in rough alignment on a layer of mortar, the aligning head structure comprising a supporting means, an elongated aligning member, means resiliently attaching said elongated aligning member to said supporting means, means mounting said head structrure for movement to place said elongated aligning member into contact with the top surfaces of the plurality of building elements, a plurality of fingers moveably connected to said supporting means, the fingers being arranged in two rows which extend parallel to one another and which rows are spaced apart, and the fingers further being arranged to depend downwardly on each side of the building elements when the head is in a position above them, there being means for displacing the two rows of fingers towards one another to grip the building elements and bring each side surface of each building element into alignment with the corresponding side surfaces of the other building elements and means for vibrating said elongated aligning member.
 2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the fingers are arranged in sets, there being a set of fingers for each building element, at least one finger of each set being longer than at least one other finger whereby a turning moment is exerted upon a gripped building element to hold it in contact with said aligning member.
 3. A machine according to claim 1, and including fluid-operated actuators for displacing the fingers into gripping engagement with building elements.
 4. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said aligning head structure is mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis, and said mounting means includes fluid-operated means are for swinging said aligning head structure about said axis.
 5. A machine according to claim 1, and further comprising horizontal guide means which are elongated in the direction parallel to the line along which it is intended to build a wall, and means for displacing the aligning head structure along said guide means.
 6. A machine according to claim 1, and said mounting means further comprising means for displacing said aligning head structure horizontally in a fore and aft direction at right angles to the line along which the machine builds a wall.
 7. A machine according to claim 1, and further comprising a rig having columns and means for displacing the aligning head up and down said columns.
 8. A machine according to claim 7, and further inclUding rollers for running on a pipe which extends horizontally and parallel to the direction in which the machine is capable of building a wall, and a further wheel which is arranged in tricycle fashion with respect to the rollers, the said wheel being mounted on an arm which is pivotally connected to the rig, there being means for sensing the position of the rig and swinging said arm about said pivotal connection if said columns are not vertical.
 9. A machine according to claim 8, wherein the sensing means includes a pendulum, electrical sensing means actuated by the pendulum, and an electric motor which is energised to displace said arm about said pivotal mounting when said pendulum actuates said sensing means.
 10. A machine according to claim 1, wherein interlocking means are provided for preventing displacement of the fingers unless said aligning head is properly positioned for aligning said building elements.
 11. A machine according to claim 1, wherein interlocking means are provided for preventing movement of said head structure after said finger commence their movement towards one another for gripping purposes. 